AACRAO 94th Annual Meeting THE EDUCATIONAL Orlando, Florida March 26, 2008 SYSTEM OF BULGARIA
Presenter: Kristalina Karabunarlieva University of Houston
Author of the EDGE Bulgaria profile Where is BULGARIA?
Population: 7.5 million Capital: Sofia (1.2 million) Territory: 42,855 sq. ml Religions: Christian Orthodox- 85%, Muslim-13%, and others Bulgarian Educational System Structure (Old system) Bulgarian Educational System Structure (New system) Specialist СПЕЦИАЛИСТ
Specialist in ... degree is awarded by colleges after professional oriented studies with a duration of three years. Studies culminate in a state final examination. Holders of that degree are given the rights to continue their studies at Bachelor's level or to access the labor market. Diploma for higher education (front page) Back page reveals additional information: Specialist in HRM; College, not university education, etc. Diploma Supplement (Specialist) Bachelor БАКАЛАВЪР
Requires a minimum of 4 years of instruction, and the graduates acquire the educational and qualification degree of Bachelor. Training for each specialty/major is finalized by sitting for state examinations or defense of a diploma. This is a degree created by the Higher Education Act of 1995. Gives access to Master’s. According to the last amendments to the Higher Education Act the Bachelor's degree also gives access to doctoral studies with a duration of 4 years. Bachelor’s degree Supplement Master МАГИСТЪР
This stage of study lasts for five years after completing secondary education or minimum one year after obtaining the Bachelor's Degree (Бакалавър). Students must complete a thesis and pass a state examination. The former Diplom za Visshe Obrazovanie, awarded before the 1995 law, is officially regarded as an equivalent to the Master's degree. Master’s Supplement (Master’s) Doctor ДОКТОР
Third degree requires a minimum of 3 years of of instruction after the Master’s degree or a minimum of 4 years after the Bachelor's degree. Graduates are awarded a Doctor’s degree. It is obtained on the basis of individual research and after the defense of a thesis. It replaces the former Kandidat na Naukite (Candidate of the Sciences). The Higher Education Act of 1995 grants all Kandidat na Naukite holders the right to use the title Doctor. Doctor Doctor of Sciences Degree Comparison
OLD NEW Diploma of Semi-higher Specialist (New) Education ------Bachelor (New)
Diploma of Higher Master (New) Education Candidate of Science Doctor /Ph.D. (New) Doctor of Sciences Doctor of Sciences Institutions of Higher Education
College (3-year non-university tertiary institution, similartotheJuniorCollegeintheUSthatcanbea structural unit in the higher schools or self- dependent higher schools. University Technical University/ Higher Educational Institution Academy http://aacraoedge.aacrao.org/ GRADING SYSTEM
6 Excellent ОТЛИЧЕН 5 Very Good МНОГО ДОБЪР 4 Good ДОБЪР 3 Average, sufficient СРЕДЕН 2 Weak, poor, fail СЛАБ
Certified, credited, pass ЗАЧИТА СЕ
Grade 3 is the minimum passing grade. One can graduate from Bulgarian secondary school or higher institution with Grade Average = 3.00 Calculating Bulgarian G.P.A. Be aware of the wording on the transcripts and the specific placement based on the following range:
US 5.50 – 6.00 Excellent A 4 4.50 – 5.49 Very good A/B+ 4/3.66 3.50 – 4.49 Good B 3 3.00- 3.49 Average C2 2.00 - 2.99 Poor F 0
Zachita se - ЗАЧИТА СЕ, Vzel - ВЗЕЛ (Credit, Pass, Certified) are grades for courses taken on Pass/Fail basis without numeric count.
Contact hours (lectures, seminars) are not considered in g.p.a. calculation. Credit system as part of the ETCS should be implemented by 2010. SAMPLE DOCUMENTS Matriculation Certificate Diploma for Higher Education
Now equivalent to Master’s Diploma Supplement Diploma Supplement (translation) Diploma Supplement (translation) Academic Reference Academic Reference Academic Reference (translation) Academic Reference (translation) Document from Sofia University issued to the holders of Old diplomas Specialist with Higher Education Academic Reference Specialist with Higher Education Academic Reference (translation) Specialist with Higher Education- gives additional qualification after Diploma for Higher Education; different from the new 3-year “Specialist” degree from Colleges! (documents 1-2a) Specialist with Higher Education (translation) Diploma for Secondary Education from Secondary comprehensive school (grades 9 to 12) Diploma for Secondary Education from Secondary comprehensive school (grades 9 to 12) Diploma for Higher Education (1977) Master
First Professional Degree in Law Diploma Supplement (front side) First Professional Degree in Law Diploma Supplement (back side) First Professional Degree in Law Diploma Supplement (p.1)
First Professional Degree in Law Diploma Supplement (p.2)
First Professional Degree in Law Professional License Attorney in Law Diploma for Candidate of Science = Doctor (PhD) Official certification of transcripts & notarized educational documents Document Comparison (1) New System 1995/96 Old System
1. Diploma for Higher Education 1. Diploma for Higher Education (Diploma za Visshe Obrazovanie) (Diploma za Visshe Obrazovanie) • Name of institution • Name of institution • Name , DOB, ID# • Name , DOB, ID# • Duration of program; • Enrollment/end of program date enrollment/end date • State exams date • Major and professional qualification • Major and professional • Degree: Specialist, Bachelor, Master qualification ; minor (second • Courses taken specialty, profile) • Grades • G.P.A.. from the whole course of • G.P.A. from the whole course of education education (Specialist, Bachelor, Master) • G.P.A. from the state exams or • G.P.A. from the state exams grade from thesis (Specialist,Bachelor) • Grade from thesis (Master) Document Comparison (2)
New System 1995/96 Old System
2. Diploma Supplement ( appendix, 2. Diploma Supplement (appendix, insert, etc) insert, etc)(Prilozenie) (Prilozenie) all the information from #1 all the information from #1 • Courses taken • Courses taken • Grades • Grades • Contact hours (lectures and seminars) 3. Academic reference (Akademichna spravka) (issued only upon request) • all the information from #1 • contact hours (lectures and seminars) •(if issued after 1995 may indicate the new educational level Master )
4. Special Letter: explaining that holders of Diplomas for Higher Education issued before The Higher Education Act of 1995, are entitled to a Master’s degree. These letters are also typical for the whole transitional period 96/00. 2008
New national maturity exam- MATURA
Technical bachelor degree